THE death of veteran Crewe and Nantwich MP Gwyneth Dunwoody, 77, has sparked a by-election on Thursday, May 22, of huge significance to all three major party leaders.

Although it’s not the first under Gordon Brown’s premiership – the Sedgefield and Ealing Southall by-elections came just three weeks after he took over the helm – it comes at a time when Labour is struggling in the opinion polls.

Rising fuel costs, the increase in the price of food and the axing of the 10p tax-rate, has irked many traditional Labour supporters.

Already, it could be said, the Liberal Democrats believe this is a seat they could win.

Despite protestations of not even considering the by-election until after Mrs Dunwoody’s funeral, the party has already ousted its prospective parliamentary candidate Marc Godwin, who was due to stand against Mrs Dunwoody in the next general election.

There would have to be a massive swing though for the Lib Dems to snatch the seat.

Although they polled a respectable 8,083 votes in Crewe and Nantwich in the last General Election in 2005, Mrs Dunwoody polled 21,240 votes. And they’re starting with a new candidate.

The Conservatives would seem to be at an obvious advantage.

Candidate Edward Timpson has said he will not talk to the Press at the moment out of respect for Mrs Dunwoody, but he has far less of a mountain to climb than the Liberal Democrats.

At the last general election the Conservatives polled 14,162 votes in Crewe and Nantwich – or 32.6% of the vote.

To take the seat they need a swing of 8.2% - which may seem a big ask but they think they can do it.